Eased restrictions road map out of lockdown to be revealed as Victoria records 120 new local cases

Victoria has recorded 120 new local cases of coronavirus as authorities prepare to announce “modest” eased restrictions and a road map out of the state’s sixth lockdown.

The caseload is the highest the state has recorded in this current outbreak, with daily numbers previously peaking at 92. It comes after Victoria recorded two COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday â€" the first in the state this year.

Victorian authorities are expected to announce a “modest” easing of restrictions on Wednesday.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

Of Wednesday’s new cases, 64 were linked to known cases and outbreaks.

There were 56,501 COVID-19 tests processed and 33,455 COVID-19 vaccines administered.

Victorian authorities are expected to announce a modest easing of restrictions at Wednesday’s daily coronavirus update, with Premier Daniel Andrews conceding on Tuesday the mental health effects of the latest lockdown had been “bloody tough”.

Mr Andrews was on Tuesday evening thrashing out a plan with senior ministers and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton as to what restrictions should ease later this week, and how to plot a path to a fuller reopening once Victoria hit the national vaccination target of 80 per cent.

Wednesday’s plan will detail which restrictions can be eased when the state reaches certain COVID-19 case number thresholds. They are expected to include when the curfew can be lifted, the 5km limit extended and when playgrounds can reopen.

“Is there a sweet spot; is there that case number that is not zero, but it’s not so high that it inevitably becomes 500, 1000, 1500, 5000?” Mr Andrews said on Tuesday.

Mr Andrews said that while case numbers would not matter as much when 80 per cent of the population was vaccinated, they mattered a lot right now.

He indicated the case number thresholds would take into account the “narrative” behind cases, including whether they were active while infectious in the community.

Senior government sources previously told The Age ministers should consider reopening playgrounds and allowing year 12 students back into the classroom, as extinguishing the current Delta outbreak was looking highly unlikely.

There are now 900 active coronavirus cases across Victoria.

Victoria records two COVID-19 deaths

Two COVID-19 deaths were reported in Victoria on Tuesday - the first since November 30.

Two women, one aged 49 from Northcote and the other aged in her 60s from Hume, died in their homes.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed paramedics were called to a home in Northcote about 1.30am on Tuesday. Paramedics returned about 7am for another patient, who was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.

“We send our deepest condolences to the families and communities involved â€" and we will be working with them to give them the support and guidance they need over the coming days,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said in his daily update late on Tuesday afternoon.

The deaths were recorded in Wednesday’s official numbers.

With Sumeyya Ilanbey and Melissa Cunningham

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Cassandra Morgan is a breaking news reporter at The Age.

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